Great value for Velocity Points!

[JohnK]

Must say that flight to NZ in Premium Economy for 13800 + $400 which was incidentally over Xmas/New Year period and even a Y flight was in $650-$800 range meets my criteria of being "worth it"

But I think this was my whole point about perceived value. I can go to New Zealand for ~$250-$300 return in economy. Why would I waste 27,600 points+ $400 to go in premium economy? It is a short flight.

And yes I know I am a difficult customer to please but there are many airlines that appear to have it right. QF, SQ, VS just to name a few.

 

[Airbumps]

The price for my original post would be fine if it included the taxes. This has been an issue with award tickets for a long time. Some airlines include taxes (or at least YQ charges) whereas others require the punter to pay them in addition to the points. TG is one that has high taxes on an award ticket. Earlier this year I went to use TG Miles for a MEL-LON flight. The cost of a Y return at the time was $1600. For a Y award it was 90,000 miles return plus $780 in taxes. So essentially half the airfare anyway. I ended up booking it in J where the taxes remained $780 but at least I got what would have been a $6500 airfare.

Don't get me wrong, there are some good deals with velocity points, but there are plenty of places where it just doesn't add up.

 

[onlycopunk]

In my experience in trying to use my velocity points for flights, the only "deals" I've ever been able to find are on domestic flights. I've never been able to find any reasonable international flights using points, or at lest ones that would be good value for my points.

I've made the assumption they release very very few seats for reward flights. But I guess in the end I haven't really worked very hard to collect my points so they aren't that precious to me. Probably would get better value through giftcards and the like.

 

[N860CR]

I think using points with any of the major schemes for long haul economy is fairly poor value. I only book long haul business/first on points and the value is much better.

I use my DJ points for domestic J sectors. They're usually cheap (especially at the moment with the sale on) and freely available. The taxes are generally minimal also. It's just a shame they don't have a JASA style system.

 

[vitagen]

I use velocity points for half price J upgrades


Very likely to be posted via iPhone or iPad

 

[Blinky]

Etihad J class redemptions offer great value in my opinion. I redeemed 500,000 points for two J class seats from MEL to LHR return. Normal price around $14,000. Taxes were less than $400 in total.